“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
(Matthew 7:1-5 – ESV)

We’ve heard it so many times from people haven’t we? It’s like a mantra that has spread throughout many of the churches. “Do not judge.” Those three words are uttered time and time again and it seems like it is the Christian thing to do, right? But as we always do, let’s see what the Bible has to say about judging.

We start by breaking down the verses in Matthew 7. What Jesus is speaking about here isn’t that believers are never to judge. What He wants to make sure we understand is that we are not hypocrites. When we call out a person in regards to something that he/she has done, are we doing the same thing ourselves? While we deem somebody to be unclean, are we making sure that we ourselves are clean? These are the questions we are to ask ourselves before judging another person.

Jesus also explains that we aren’t fit to help people remove the speck (sin) out of their eyes (lives) unless we have removed the log (sin) out of our own eyes (lives). So the main point is that we don’t judge others when we have things going on in our lives that we can be judged on. And remember, according to Romans 2:1-3, God is the ultimate Judge who will render judgment according to our deeds here on Earth.

The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.
(1 Corinthians 2:15 – ESV)

A person who is wise will judge all things. And do we not judge all the time in our daily lives? Think about how you choose your friends, the schools you send your children to, the restaurants you decide to eat at, and if you are a boss, how you pick the people you hire. We judge all the time and if we didn’t, this world would be beyond chaotic. And so if we judge in our everyday lives, shouldn’t we judge also in our Christian walk?

Let’s focus on the second part of the verse. It points out that while the spiritual person (Christian) judges everything, he/she is not judged by another person. This means that the Christian is supposed to be blameless before others because how much good would it do to confront someone about their sins when that person can turn around and confront you about yours? But if you are blameless, then they will have to deal with their own sin and not be able to put the focus on you. This is why many professing Christians have no witness in the world today.

For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?
(1 Corinthians 5:12 – ESV)

We should not expect people who reject Jesus Christ (outsiders) to live a holy and righteous life. It’s not going to happen. But this is expected of the Christian. If we were to use the growing attitude of “do not judge” in the situation Paul speaks of in 1 Corinthians 5, then this situation of a man committing adultery with his father’s wife would just be swept under the rug. Yet Paul did not take such a stance.

Paul expected the Christians in Corinth to have a much harsher stance toward the adulterous man then they had exhibited. In other words, he expected the church of Corinth to confront (judge) this adulterous man and if he would not repent, he would need to be excommunicated. This is the Biblical order of how things are supposed to work. And why is this important? Because if we don’t judge one another when it is necessary, then we are allowing evil and wickedness to reign within our churches. Look at all of the news stories today of adultery, molestation, extortion and other evil taking place in the churches.

Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”
(John 7:24 – ESV)

One of the big issues of judging is that if we aren’t careful, we will judge people for the wrong things because of our own personal preferences or convictions. Remember, the word of God (Bible) is our guide in how we judge, not on how we feel or how we perceive things. And that is where we as believers can get into trouble and be just like the Pharisees during Jesus’ day, adding our own set of rules to what God’s word clearly says. Let’s be careful of that so that we stay within the faith and not be led into a man-made religion.

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
(Ephesians 4:29 – ESV)

Also, when we judge, what type of heart are we judging with? Is it to tear down or to build up? There is a type of judgment in which we can condemn others but this is not a righteous judgment. To write people off and condemn them to hell is a wrong judgment. True judgment in love not only confronts the sin but also offers an opportunity for repentance and forgiveness. Is that your attitude when you judge?

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
(Galatians 6:1 – ESV)

We must understand that God is in the business of bringing the prideful low and exalting the humble. When we judge, realize that we may be faced with a similar temptation in the near future. I can tell you this because it has happened in my life where I have confronted a brother about a sin only to find myself committing the same sin down the road. And this is why we must be careful when we judge because God will allow us to fall into hypocrisy in order for us to learn a lesson.

Remember, the key isn’t in that we shouldn’t judge but it’s about how we judge and making sure we aren’t hypocrites when we judge. And remember, each and every one of us in the human race will all face the ultimate judgment of the Almighty God one day where each and every one of our deeds will be taken into account.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
(2 Corinthians 5:10 - ESV)

Stay humble and when others do wrong—even if it is directly to you—be loving and forgiving as you confront them with their sins. You still may be rejected because they want to continue in their sins but this is their choice. Remember that all of us have sinned against the Almighty God, something we’ve recognized when we repented and believed in Jesus Christ. Afford the same mercy to others and seek restoration and reconciliation.